India, a land of rich traditions and diverse cultures, has long been bound by rigid gender roles and stereotypes. For centuries, these societal norms have shaped the lives of individuals, restricting their choices and limiting their potential. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement towards breaking these stereotypes and shattering gender roles in Indian society. This blog explores the evolving landscape of gender roles and stereotypes in India and highlights the importance of challenging these notions to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

all RIGHT:

Why You're Writing Medieval (and Medieval-Coded) Women Wrong: A RANT

(Or, For the Love of God, People, Stop Pretending Victorian Style Gender Roles Applied to All of History)

This is a problem I see alllll over the place - I'll be reading a medieval-coded book and the women will be told they aren't allowed to fight or learn or work, that they are only supposed to get married, keep house and have babies, &c &c.

If I point this out ppl will be like "yes but there was misogyny back then! women were treated terribly!" and OK. Stop right there.

By & large, what we as a culture think of as misogyny & patriarchy is the expression prevalent in Victorian times - not medieval. (And NO, this is not me blaming Victorians for their theme park version of "medieval history". This is me blaming 21st century people for being ignorant & refusing to do their homework).

Yes, there was misogyny in medieval times, but 1) in many ways it was actually markedly less severe than Victorian misogyny, tyvm - and 2) it was of a quite different type. (Disclaimer: I am speaking specifically of Frankish, Western European medieval women rather than those in other parts of the world. This applies to a lesser extent in Byzantium and I am still learning about women in the medieval Islamic world.)

So, here are the 2 vital things to remember about women when writing medieval or medieval-coded societies

FIRST. Where in Victorian times the primary axes of prejudice were gender and race - so that a male labourer had more rights than a female of the higher classes, and a middle class white man would be treated with more respect than an African or Indian dignitary - In medieval times, the primary axis of prejudice was, overwhelmingly, class. Thus, Frankish crusader knights arguably felt more solidarity with their Muslim opponents of knightly status, than they did their own peasants. Faith and age were also medieval axes of prejudice - children and young people were exploited ruthlessly, sent into war or marriage at 15 (boys) or 12 (girls). Gender was less important.

What this meant was that a medieval woman could expect - indeed demand - to be treated more or less the same way the men of her class were. Where no ancient legal obstacle existed, such as Salic law, a king's daughter could and did expect to rule, even after marriage.

Women of the knightly class could & did arm & fight - something that required a MASSIVE outlay of money, which was obviously at their discretion & disposal. See: Sichelgaita, Isabel de Conches, the unnamed women fighting in armour as knights during the Third Crusade, as recorded by Muslim chroniclers.

Tolkien's Eowyn is a great example of this medieval attitude to class trumping race: complaining that she's being told not to fight, she stresses her class: "I am of the house of Eorl & not a serving woman". She claims her rights, not as a woman, but as a member of the warrior class and the ruling family. Similarly in Renaissance Venice a doge protested the practice which saw 80% of noble women locked into convents for life: if these had been men they would have been "born to command & govern the world". Their class ought to have exempted them from discrimination on the basis of sex.

So, tip #1 for writing medieval women: remember that their class always outweighed their gender. They might be subordinate to the men within their own class, but not to those below.

SECOND. Whereas Victorians saw women's highest calling as marriage & children - the "angel in the house" ennobling & improving their men on a spiritual but rarely practical level - Medievals by contrast prized virginity/celibacy above marriage, seeing it as a way for women to transcend their sex. Often as nuns, saints, mystics; sometimes as warriors, queens, & ladies; always as businesswomen & merchants, women could & did forge their own paths in life

When Elizabeth I claimed to have "the heart & stomach of a king" & adopted the persona of the virgin queen, this was the norm she appealed to. Women could do things; they just had to prove they were Not Like Other Girls. By Elizabeth's time things were already changing: it was the Reformation that switched the ideal to marriage, & the Enlightenment that divorced femininity from reason, aggression & public life.

For more on this topic, read Katherine Hager's article "Endowed With Manly Courage: Medieval Perceptions of Women in Combat" on women who transcended gender to occupy a liminal space as warrior/virgin/saint.

So, tip #2: remember that for medieval women, wife and mother wasn't the ideal, virgin saint was the ideal. By proving yourself "not like other girls" you could gain significant autonomy & freedom.

Finally a bonus tip: if writing about medieval women, be sure to read writing on women's issues from the time so as to understand the terms in which these women spoke about & defended their ambitions. Start with Christine de Pisan.

I learned all this doing the reading for WATCHERS OF OUTREMER, my series of historical fantasy novels set in the medieval crusader states, which were dominated by strong medieval women! Book 5, THE HOUSE OF MOURNING (forthcoming 2023) will focus, to a greater extent than any other novel I've ever yet read or written, on the experience of women during the crusades - as warriors, captives, and political leaders. I can't wait to share it with you all!

A world without trans people has never existed and it never will.

Seriously just search (Trans History).

Here are some examples:

"Sumerian and Akkadian texts from 4,500 years ago document priests known as gala who may have been transgender. In Ancient Greece, Phrygia, and Rome, there were galli priests that some scholars believe to have been trans women.

Roman emperor Elagabalus (d. 222 AD) preferred to be called a lady (rather than a lord) and sought sex reassignment surgery, and in the modern day has been seen as a trans figure. 

Hijras on the Indian subcontinent and kathoeys in Thailand have formed trans-feminine third gender social and spiritual communities since ancient times, with their presence documented for thousands of years in texts which also mention trans male figures. Today, at least half a million hijras live in India and another half million in Bangladesh, legally recognized as a third gender, and many trans people are accepted in Thailand.

In Arabia, khanith today (like earlier mukhannathun) fulfill a third gender role attested since the AD 600s.

In Africa, many societies have traditional roles for trans women and trans men, some of which survive in the modern era.

In the Americas prior to European colonization, as well as in some contemporary North American Indigenous cultures, there are social and ceremonial roles for third gender people, or those whose gender expression transforms, such as the Navajo nádleehi or the Zuni lhamana."

In conclusion. Being trans is not a fad and it isn't going anywhere just because some crazy religious nut jobs say we don't fit into their abusive hateful world views. We are here and always will be. So get used to it. 👋😘

Data spanning from 1995 to 2021 in India revealed a striking gender imbalance in organ transplants, with four men getting organ transplants for every woman. A total of 36,640 transplants took place in this period, out of which 29,000 were for men and 6,945 for women.

This substantial difference is attributed to a complex interplay of economic responsibilities, societal pressures, and deeply ingrained preferences. 

Dr Anil Kumar, director of the government-run National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) highlighted this significant aspect of the organ donation landscape.

While more men contribute as cadaver donors, a staggering 93 per cent of total organ donations in the country come from living donors, he told the Times of India newspaper. This hints at a trend: a majority of living organ donors are women.  Socio-economic factors a driving force for women donors? A study published in the Experimental and Clinical Transplantation Journal in 2021 delved into the intricacies of living organ transplantation in India. The findings showed that 80 per cent of living organ donors are women, predominantly wives or mothers. The socio-economic pressure on women to assume caregiving roles within the family emerges as a primary factor, compelling them to step forward as donors. Men's reluctance in surgery In many cases, men, often the primary breadwinners, hesitate to undergo surgery, contributing to the gender gap in organ recipients. The study highlights that when the recipient is a male breadwinner, family members, especially wives or parents, feel a heightened responsibility to donate organs. Emotional dynamics The emotional dynamics surrounding organ donation are intricate. Women recipients, in particular, may experience guilt when their family members, especially wives or mothers, become donors. This reluctance leads to a scenario where women recipients may find themselves on waiting lists.  Notably, Karnataka has topped the charts in organ donation in the past decade. The number of donations have risen from 102 in 2013 to 765 in the first 10 months of 2023. 

A user on Ovarit added this helpful context:

"Just a little more context to this: men produce male-specific proteins (on the Y chromosome) which often get rejected by women's bodies. Since males have an X chromosome, their bodies recognize proteins from female donors. This makes it more difficult for women to receive male tissue/organs, while still being acceptable candidates for donating to men. Even still, these ratios are very disproportionate".

"As women we absolutely need to be aware of our vulnerability of being used as spare parts in a man's world. Especially when we are being socialized into believing that we need to sacrifice our bodies and lives for others- and society has developed a sense of entitlement to this sacrifice, while downplaying the suffering of women."

Throughout history, women have left an undeniable impact on society with their hard work, creativity, and dedication to progress. Unfortunately, their accomplishments have often gone unnoticed, been undervalued, or even stolen. Despite these challenges, brave women of today continue to push boundaries, break barriers, and pave the way for a more fair and equal world. It's our duty to keep going, so that future generations of women can inherit a kinder, more just, and supportive world. By following in the footsteps of the incredible women who came before us, we can create a world where every woman can flourish and succeed, and where their contributions are recognized and celebrated.

Joan of Arc is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronation of Charles VII of France during the Hundred Years' War. Claiming to be acting under divine guidance, she became a military leader who transcended gender roles and gained recognition as a savior of France. She was put on trial by Bishop Pierre Cauchon on accusations of heresy, which included blaspheming by wearing men's clothes, acting upon visions that were demonic, and refusing to submit her words and deeds to the judgment of the church. She was declared guilty and burned at the stake on 30 May 1431, aged about nineteen.

Rani Lakshmibai was the Maharani consort of the princely state of Jhansi from 1843 to 1853. She was one of the leading figures in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 became a symbol of resistance to the British rule in India for Indian nationalists. When the Maharaja died in 1853, the British East India Company under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie refused to recognize the claim of his adpoted heir and annexed Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse. She rode into battle with her infant son strapped to her back, and died in June 1858 after being mortally wounded during the British counterattack at Gwalior.

Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose work was instrumental in the discovery of the structure of DNA. Her contributions were largely overlooked by her male colleagues, James Watson and Francis Crick, who used her data without her permission or acknowledgement. This theft of her intellectual property and erasure of her contributions is a prime example of the systemic sexism that has historically plagued the scientific community.

Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress and inventor who co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology during World War II that was used to guide torpedoes. However, her contributions were largely ignored and dismissed by male engineers and the military at the time. It was only later in life that she received recognition for her scientific achievements.

Emma Weyant is an American competitive swimmer. She was the US national champion at the individual medley. She qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games in the 400m individual medley and won the silver medal in this event. Weyant finished second in the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. She was beaten by William (Lia) Thomas, a fetishist, who when competing as a member of the Penn men's team, which was 2018-19, ranked 554th in the 200 freestyle, 65th in the 500 freestyle and 32nd in the 1650 freestyle. Weyant is the fastest swimmer in the 500-yard freestyle and had her position stolen by a man.

Maryna Viazovska is a Ukrainian mathematician who made a breakthrough in sphere packing, solving the centuries-old mathematical problem known as the densest packing of spheres in dimensions 8 and 24. She was awarded the Fields Medal in July 2022, making her the second woman (after Maryam Mirzakhani), the second person born in the Ukrainian SSR and the first with a degree from a Ukrainian university to ever receive it.

Hannie Schaft was a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II who played a crucial role in the resistance movement against Nazi occupation. Schaft was a former university student who dropped out because she refused to sign a pledge of loyalty to Germany. Nazis arrested and killed her in 1945, just three weeks before the war ended in Europe. According to lore, Schaft’s last words were, “I’m a better shot,” after initially only being wounded by her executioner.

Shakuntala Devi was an Indian mathematician and mental calculator who was known as the "Human Computer" for her exceptional ability to perform complex mathematical calculations in her head. Her extraordinary abilities earned her a place in the 1982 Guinness Book of Records. Her lesser known achievement is that in 1977 she wrote what is considered to be the first book in India on homosexuality titled “The World of Homosexuals.”  

J. K. Rowling is a British author and philanthropist. She wrote Harry Potter, a seven-volume children's fantasy series published from 1997 to 2007. Known for her philanthropy, she was doxxed and harassed after coming out with support for women's and gay rights in 2020. Rowling secretly donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to save 100 female lawyers and their families facing murder in Afghanistan. In 2022, she funded a women's only rape shelter in Edinburgh.

i feel like when we talk about "third genders" we kind of have to be careful about the emic/etic distinction. like for example with the hijra or the feminielli i think etically they at least WERE pretty unambiguously a third gender category, in the sense that they filled a distinct gendered social role. and you might draw this in contrast to various groups throughout history who did NOT fill a third gender category but do problematize a simple two gender two sexes equivalence (like, people born with penises who filled a female social role, or people born with vaginas who filled a male a social role). like bugis society fits this better imo than the description of them as "five gender society".

but to be clear, i think arguably trans women in various times in the US have occupied an (etic) third gender! but theres an entirely separate question about what the EMIC genders in a society are. like, american culture doesnt really have an emic third gender. but societies with emic third genders have existed (like, i think eunuchs are often essentially this).

whats actually interesting to me is that modernity seems to have dissolved a lot of etic gender distinctions without dissolving emic gender distinctions. like...labor is SO much less gender-separated in modern american society than it was in mosy societies throughout history. i mean, thats not to say its totally unstratified, look at these graphs, but also look at how many things like in the middle. and in particular modern anglo society is generally vocally against this kind of stratification in a way i think is unique to modernity? like, there have been lots of egalitarian societies, but socieities that said "men and women should do the same kinds of work" not so much (i think! if you have counter examples, let me know!)

to be cler we definitely DO still have etic gender but i think the economic aspects have shifted faster than the cultural perception in an interesting way, like, the conception of the ways gender is important in some ways overshadows the extent to which gender is actually important, except of course that percieving gender as important MAKES it important because we live in a society. what was my point. oh. yeah. i dont know enough about indian society to know if hijras form an emic third gender or if they still form an etic third gender (i think the social role for them has mostly atrophied? in large part because of english colonial rule?) BUT i think you can meaningfully say "(some) hijras are women (in the sense that trans women, in the western conception, are women)" AND "hijras form(ed) a third gender".

hi!!! since we're questioning stuff, i wanted to say this, it's been on my mind for a while now.....

what is bollywood trying to do making AND promoting films like 'animal' and 'kabir singh'?????

they are clearly promoting toxic masculinity and violence which is affecting the public sooooo much......and they got the nerve to defend it as well????!!!!!

there are sooooo many films now which promote violence......ranbir kapoor is an excellent actor, yet it's sad to see his most successful film was 'animal' and not 'barfi' which is actually touching.....you know why?? because this is exactly what people want to see, violence, uncontrolled rage and madness......

the uneducated section of the society is very influenced by this and this is pretty well known, then why make films like this???

why not make more films on moving topics THAT ACTUALLY FUCKING MATTER and cause people to change their mentality????

people are much more affected by movies than by books, especially in our country, where sadly, a large population still does not have access to books and education.....what's worse is that learned and educated people also don't actually fucking care and promote this kind of bullshit......

please share your opinion and also reblog.....i wanna hear more about this from different people as well......

Thanks for reaching out i appreciate you taking the time to ask a question, And i am happy that every girl is asking such questions to support each other

So namaste everyone

In my view many directors in India focus on making movies that make a lot of money. These movies often include things like sex, violence, and negative portrayals of women which have been popular for a long time. Unfortunately people have gotten used to these kinds of movies and directors care more about making money than about the impact their movies have on society however not all directors are like this. Some directors want to make movies that show women in a positive way It's important to support these directors and their movies so that we can have more respectful and inclusive films. But people don't give much attention to good movies if we create good marketing of good movies and make their good scenes go viral on the internet maybe it's possible that more people will watch good movies This way directors will also realize that people's preferences are changing

The Impact of Such Movies : Movies that glorify toxic masculinity and perpetuate misogyny can have a detrimental impact on society. They reinforce harmful gender norms, normalize abusive behavior and contribute to the marginalization of women. Additionally they can influence audience perceptions and attitudes shaping societal beliefs and behaviors. It's crucial to critically examine these movies and engage in discussions about their implications while also advocating for more socially responsible and inclusive storytelling in the film industry.

👉🏻 So Let's Jump On Some Questions 👈🏻

Why Male Directors Make Such Kind Of Movies?

Male dominated industry : The Indian film industry is largely controlled by men. This means that the stories being told are often filtered through a male lens and women are frequently portrayed in one dimensional or stereotypical ways.

Audience demand: There's a perception that a large section of the audience prefers these kinds of films. Masala movies with over the top action romance and violence have long been a staple of Bollywood and filmmakers may be reluctant to deviate from this formula for fear of losing box office revenue.

Societal factors: Sexism and misogyny are deeply ingrained in Indian society nd this is reflected in the films that are produced. Films often mirror and reinforce existing social prejudices making it difficult to break the cycle

👉🏻 So, What Can Be Done To Reduce Sexism In Indian Films?👈🏻

Encourage more women in filmmaking: Increasing the number of women in key decision making roles, such as directors, producers, and writers, can help bring about a more balanced perspective in films.

Because guys! if movies are made from a female perspective there will be significant changes seen in the movie industry so encourage your friends and cousins to talk about these things

Make Everyone Aware! Aware! Aware! :

If someone in your house talks about movies like "Animal" and "Kabir Singh" and says it's just a movie sit down and explain to them that what you watch is not normal. Even if you receive negative feedback you know what your job is - make everyone around you aware of this issue. Don't let these movies be normalized which people have modernized.

Take Advantage Of The Internet : Promote Media Literacy educate the public through internet especially young people about media literacy and critical thinking skills teach them to analyze and question the messages portrayed in movies on Instagram, Twitter (X) Reddit , Facebook , Blogs including recognizing and challenging harmful stereotypes and representations

👇🏻👇🏻

Last note : And we should keep hyping movies like women empowerment on the internet. We have the internet in our hands so let's make good use of it. Otherwise what's the point of sitting and thinking about what's happening in society? Don't just think do something even if it's a small step like what I'm doing with my blog. I know that not many girls will reach it but those who do are a big number for me. So, spread women empowerment movies and their scenes everywhere on the internet whether they are old or not just make them viral and spread awareness through social media and blogs

Thanks everyone. Please Reblog this. 🪷🦢🐚

I read a book a while back about the erotic appeal of 'women with penises' (don't close the page yet I promise it's useful). the book was called Ambisexuality. it's basically two things, a history of the sexual fantasy of a 'woman with a penis' and a study of transgender women sex workers in australia. content warning for sex work and children forced into sex work.

in the history portion, one of the things it talks about is how it seems that prepubescent boys who enter the sex industry in some cultures are basically taught to perform femininity. dressed like women, taught to dance like women, perfume themselves like women, basically appear cosmetically like a woman. since prepubescent boys don't look too different from girls, many adult heterosexual johns found this attractive. the presence of the penis was considered a positive, because male customers knew how a penis worked and could understand it. from the book:

References to the training of older boys and young men, in the twin arts of seductive dancing and sex work, can be found in many historical religious texts, not just of Afghanistan but as an aspect of cultures in many cities in South Asia and the Middle East until modern times. [...] The historical record also provides clues that the link between feminised males and sex work even existed in some hunter-gatherer societies. In North America, the journalist and critic, Peter Ackroyd suggests that some native Indian societies accommodated feminised male sex work. The Pueblo Indians for example, maintained a mujerado, a 'trained male prostitute' in each village, who identified as a 'man-woman, not as a male [source mine]. Similarly, records suggest that the berdache were males who took on the roles of wife, communal concubine, prostitute and participant in certain sexual rites of native Indian tribes. The berdache wore women's clothing, did women's work and in sexual relations with their male partners, behaved like women as far as possible. Many Roman brothels offered boys of different races, skin colours and professional abilities. Boys from the Middle East, for example, were prized for their dancing abilities and exotic appearance, while boys from Northern Europe were valued for their bawdiness and sensuality. Some brothel owners refined the process of procuring, raising and training very young boys to an art form. Boys considered to possess the appropriate attributes were purchased as young as two or three years of age and were raised and trained by their owners. Their sole purpose in life was to entertain men and pander to the sexual tastes of wealthy clients. Many of these boys were feminised during their training. They were beautifully groomed and perfumed, had unwanted body hair removed and wore their hair long and curly. Some were trained to perform for their clients - as dancers, mimes, singers and storytellers. All were trained in fellatio, sodomy and analingus.

it's disturbing to think about how femininity is conflated with being attractive to men, so much that you can take a prepubescent boy, dress him up like a woman, and apparently plenty of people go "yeah, this is the perfect sex object, like a woman but better."

it also had a section on how trans women and gender non conforming men who dressed femininely across the world were basically often forced into prostitution. since they could not find employment due to their gender nonconformity, the only place they could get money was as prostitutes. being feminine dressed also meant they could make more money than gay male prostitutes who dressed in masculine style. from the book:

According to some cultural historians, the reason why the xanith presented as women was to enable them to make a living from sex work. As will be seen later, the suggestion that this lifestyle is driven by 'economic necessity' probably belies a considerable degree of individual choice in the matter. For many, the rewards of sex work led to a comfortable lifestyle, which was infinitely preferable to other occupations which paid less, demanded longer working hours and offered fewer other intrinsic benefits such as personal gifts.

there's a myth that there exists a certain type of person who enjoys being prostituted, because of some social category they belong to. it has variably applied to women of the lower classes, black people, gay men, and in this topic, trans women. it exists to excuse the dehumanization of these groups who are excluded from normal labor markets, experience higher rates of poverty, and enter sex work to make money.

i've noticed some radfems have suggested that trans women prostitutes 'enjoy' being prostitutes, on the basis of quotes from bailey's book 'the man who would be queen' and taking twitter quotes from unverifiable 'trans sex workers' at face value. but i would be very hesitant to believe that. just in the same way you would not believe a woman who told you she 'loves sex work' without doing further research on her background to see if this statement is honest or produced by trauma, you should also consider the same for transgender women and gender non conforming men. especially since they are often forced out of legitimate labor industry for gender nonconformity.

the idea that trans women inherently love prostitution reinforces the idea that there are feminine people who it is okay to degrade and treat as sex objects, because they love it. the femininity is taken to be a lure to men and proof that they love being 'used'. there may be some portion who are 'erotic professionals' who love it, just like there are women who say they same, but there's a high rate of traumatic background from trans women who become prostitutes. and that's before whatever traumatization happens during prostitution.

in short, there's a dirty history of treating gender non conforming male people as the sort of perfect sex object, the ideal combination of feminine presentation and "comprehensible" male anatomy. radfems should not help this myth by repeating it mindlessly. all this does is spread the idea that a. being dressed feminine means you exist to lure men, b. there exists a 'perfect sex object' who wants nothing more than endless sex with strangers for money, whose trauma, poverty, mental illness play no role in their life, and c. therefore there is no need to include these people in efforts to exit the prostitution industry, because they "love" it after all. no human is a perfect sex object. accepting that it can happen to one group of people means you naturalize it and allow the possibility it can happen to you.

Do you think being trans is a trend?

Transgender people are known to have existed since ancient times. A wide range of societies had traditional third gender roles, or otherwise accepted trans people in some form. Historical understandings are inherently filtered through modern principles and were largely viewed through a medical lens until the late 1900s.

Trans history has also been filtered through gay history, with some historians erasing the trans identities of historical figures.

Ancient Egypt had third gender categories, including eunuchs. In the Tale of Two Brothers (from 3200 years ago), Bata removes his penis and tells his wife "I am a woman just like you"; one modern scholar called him temporarily (before his body is restored) "transgendered".

Prior to western contact, some Native American tribes had third-gender roles,[76] like the Diné (Navajo) nádleehi and the Zuni lhamana. European anthropologists usually referred to these people as berdaches, which Indigenous people have always considered an offensive slur. In 1990, some Indigenous North Americans, largely in academia, adopted the pan-Indian neologism two-spirit, as an attempt to organize inter-tribally.

In 1776, the Public Universal Friend reported being genderless, dressed androgynously, and asked followers gained while preaching throughout New England over the next four decades not to use their birth name or gendered pronouns

Prior to the 16th-century arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the Inca Empire and their Moche predecessors revered third-gender persons and organized their society around an Andean cosmovision that made room for masculine and feminine ambiguity based on "complementary dualism." Third-gender shamans as ritual practitioners were subject to violence as the Spanish suppressed pre-colonial worldviews.

In ancient Assyria, transgender cult prostitutes took part in public processions, singing, dancing, wearing costumes and sometimes women's clothes, carrying feminine symbols, and even at times performing the act of giving birth.

Eunuchs (who existed in China since 4000 years ago, were imperial servants by 3000 years ago, and were common as civil servants by the time of the Qin dynasty until a century ago) have sometimes been viewed as a third sex, or a transgender practice and Chinese histories have often expressed the relationship of a ruler to his officials in the terms of a male relationship to females.

Indian texts from as early as 3000 years ago document a third gender, which has been connected to the hijras who have formed a category of third-gender or trans-feminine people on the Indian subcontinent since ancient times.

The Buddhist Tipitaka, composed about 2100 years ago, documents four gender categories: female, male, pandaka, and ubhatobyanjanaka.

Drawings and figures from around 9000 to 3700 years ago, depicting androgynous and genderless humans in domestic, religious, and funerary settings, occur around the Mediterranean

Near what is today Prague, a burial from 4900 to 4500 years ago was found of a biologically male skeleton in a woman's outfit with feminine grave goods, which some archaeologists consider an early transgender burial.

Hey Huey zoomer, well magical negeroes was a flopped, but those poor black actors, they were pointing out the racist roles they were given throughout their careers. Especially justice smith

Wait

Oh he was in that recent dnd movie, which I heard will be a cult classic soon

Oh he was also in the Jurassic World sequel

Waaaaait, I seen him before

Like in a certain pop culture milestone that made him a household name

Oh right

HE WAS THE STAR OF DETECTIVE PIKACHU

(He also biracial as he played Ryan Reynolds son in it)

Sorry it just yes Hollywood put a lot black actors (and everyone else especially if they were from a poor backgrounds)

Also the white people in the trailer…while I’m estranged from them. My little sister still see our mostly white stepfamily as family. And the white people they bitch about seem upper middle class

…who probably are descendants of those social Darwinists weirdos. Not saying they are as racist, but yeah Hollywood and a lot of it structure was form during social Darwinism and Jim Crow America and yes many black people groups found success in Hollywood during those rough times.

And not to mention most civil rights activists was trying to let working class black people piss in the same bathroom as a white person much less being the heads of Hollywood

This trailer resonated me and a lot of other “marginalized groups” than magical negros did

https://youtu.be/i0MbLCpYJPA?si=JztSsnHBw827_-DU

Sorry like a critic said, this is stick of dynamite, did someone probe my brain with the pigeonholing white liberals did to black writers?

I see you American fiction crew members

I shall buy the 4k or blu ray when it out as a toast

But sorry for ranting…you know I started my creative trend after talking to an Indian woman about Rowling weird lore about American Wizarding society. Which eventually lead me to learning about the “Queen” of New York City Glided Age

Sorry probably it because I’m a midwestern and in general a lot of famous people from here are what Gilded Age Queen would call new money IE Micheal Jackson, Walt Disney, and Henry.

Perhaps another anon, hell I just realize something even both Disney channel cartoon and Sitcom pointed out how different a magical society in America would be due to our melting pot culture.

glad to hear it flopped at least, and the racist roles they've been given, this was one of them and it's not like they didn't accept them this isn't the 1930's where you're under contract with a studio and have to make what they tell you to make.

Don't know justice smith, but I'll take your word for all that.

who probably are descendants of those social Darwinists weirdos. And not to mention most civil rights activists was trying to let working class black people piss in the same bathroom as a white person much less being the heads of Hollywood

Upper middle class people be like that ya, you hit a certain point on the income tree and things like race, gender, and sexuality start to matter less and less as you shift towards how can I make more money off of all of these people.

Not a hard and fast rule, but it seems to happen a lot. Segment from a Trump interview in the late 90's I think it was talking about guys who like guys, he's just like 'I'm happy for them, not my thing but more power to ya'

Oh this is delightful also feels like something certain members of the black community would call racist, educated well spoken black man tends to get called all manner of awful things, hardcore leftists are some of the worst about it too.

But sorry for ranting…you know I started my creative trend after talking to an Indian woman about Rowling weird lore about American Wizarding society. Which eventually lead me to learning about the “Queen” of New York City Glided Age Sorry probably it because I’m a midwestern and in general a lot of famous people from here are what Gilded Age Queen would call new money IE Micheal Jackson, Walt Disney, and Henry.

Mrs. Astor had the money and the pedigree to do that, not that it's right to look down on people but as folks go that would have the ability to do that she's pretty high on the list.

Cathy Bates did a wonderful job as "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown in the Titanic movie, split the difference between old and new money, her still being uncouth and what not.

Not Duck Dynasty level, but they don't actually care if they fit in or not, also I imagine a bunch of that is an act.

Perhaps another anon, hell I just realize something even both Disney channel cartoon and Sitcom pointed out how different a magical society in America would be due to our melting pot culture.

That and guns, post on here about the American exchange wizard at Hogwarts that casts Glock-19 or something like that.

Also I'm gonna nominate the Bass Pro Shop pyramid as our school location.

Her Five Husbands: Insights into Ancient Indian Polyandry

Imagine being married to multiple men simultaneously. Dreamy for many gay people, probably horrific for some ancient women of any orientation.

Polyandry, or polygamy with more than one husband, was typically practiced for various reasons including keeping land within the family and economic necessity in ancient India. Though it may sound exotic to most of us, the tradition is still alive in some communities of the India Himalayas, Nepal and Tibet.

Draupadi, a pivotal character in the Indian epic Mahabharata, is renowned for her marriage to the five Pandava brothers—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. 

The story of Draupadi's marriage begins with a contest for her hand, which Arjuna wins. However, when the brothers return with Draupadi, their mother, Kunti, thinking they are talking about alms, instructs them to share whatever they have brought. This motherly command is taken literally and respected, leading to Draupadi's marriage to all five brothers. Each husband had specific roles and times with Draupadi, reflecting a structured approach to this polyandrous relationship.

This union of Draupadi and the Pandavas is a profound example of polyandry that raises questions about marriage, fidelity, and duty, offering deep insights into the gender dynamics and family structures of ancient Indian society.

Why do you think that India is more happy to legalize legal sex changes then gay marriage?

Because acceptance of gay marriage in society is a direct hit to one of the first oppressive institutions of patriarchy- marriage between a male human and a female human.

The government has answered your question itself during the recent court case to hear petitions to legalize same sex marriage- To them the purpose of marriage is to "procreate" and to maintain the "Indian family unit" in their words, and in my interpretation- to preserve the traditional societal roles of women in child bearing,childrearing and domestic chores so the men can carry their patriline.

And keep in mind, SRS and HRT aren't affordable for majority of the population here. So it does not make much difference in society if they legalize it. Most trans people you come across here haven't gone through the process.

It's the same reason why sex change is legally allowed only after SRS. Because if they could self identify then same sex attracted people could easily marry through that process regardless of gay marriage being legal or not. That's what they have said as far as I know.

This is the legal aspect of it.

Societally it's complex and differs on the sub category of trans people. I have lately been reading about the work and interviews of LBT collectives (Lesbian, Bisexual Women and Trans Men) who offer a much better perspective on gender, sex and sexuality than the LGBT people with the loudest voice (primarily those born as male). So you can ask me about that.

The article I read by Forbes for this weeks tumblr post talked a lot about how early on we are influenced to believe one thing or another about what women are/are not expected to do based on different cultures or familial beliefs. It talks about how these pressures are placed more specifically on certain cultures such as Asian, Indian, Hispanic, and Latino women (no matter their age) should be taking care of the males in their family. The family culture plays a larger role in our gender beliefs than any other social influence from a young age. This speaks volumes about the ways that we need to and could start changing these traditional roles if we, the women of these families, do not agree with them. I was raised in a household where the workload of cooking, cleaning, childcare, etc. was split evenly for the most part amongst my parents so those are expectations I am going to carry with me into my next relationship. Making those changes start by breaking those traditions that had been set in place for hundreds of year of family generations prior to the ones we, young people, are a part of today. Gender roles at home can and should be continued to be blurred to try and mitigate these trends that were set in place in the past as our society continues to move forward.

VEDIC CULTURE IN INDIA:

Vedic culture is a term used to refer to the ancient religious and social traditions that originated in the Indian subcontinent and are based on the Vedas, which are a collection of sacred texts of Hinduism. The Vedic period in India is believed to have started around 1500 BCE and continued until around 500 BCE.

The Vedic culture is characterized by its emphasis on ritualism and sacrifice, with a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses that were worshipped through fire rituals, offerings, and prayers. The Vedas also contain hymns, philosophical reflections, and discussions on various aspects of life, such as ethics, morality, and social organization.

The Vedic culture also gave rise to the caste system, which divided society into four main classes or varnas: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and Shudras (laborers and servants). The caste system was based on the belief in karma, which holds that one's actions in this life determine one's status in the next.

Despite the changes that have taken place in India over the centuries, many aspects of Vedic culture continue to influence Indian society and religion. The Vedas and their teachings continue to be studied and revered by many Hindus, and Vedic rituals and ceremonies continue to be performed in temples and homes throughout the country.

There are several benefits of Vedic culture, some of which are:

Spiritual Growth: Vedic culture focuses on spiritual growth and encourages individuals to connect with their inner selves. It teaches the importance of self-realization, meditation, and self-discipline, which helps individuals attain peace, happiness, and contentment.

Holistic Healing: Vedic culture emphasizes the importance of holistic healing, which involves treating the mind, body, and soul together. This helps individuals achieve a state of balance and harmony, leading to better health and well-being.

Respect for Nature: Vedic culture teaches us to respect and honor nature. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment, which encourages us to live in harmony with nature and be mindful of our impact on the planet.

Cultural Diversity: Vedic culture celebrates cultural diversity and teaches us to respect and embrace different cultures and traditions. This helps to promote tolerance, understanding, and harmony in society.

Social Order: Vedic culture provides a social order through the caste system, which divides society into different classes based on their occupation and social status. This provides a sense of order and stability in society, allowing people to fulfill their roles and responsibilities effectively.

Ethics and Morality: Vedic culture promotes ethical and moral values, such as truth, honesty, compassion, and non-violence. These values help individuals lead a virtuous and fulfilling life, and contribute to the greater good of society.

It is important to note that while Vedic culture has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks. Some of these include:

Caste System: The caste system, which is a fundamental aspect of Vedic culture, has been criticized for its rigid social hierarchy, discrimination, and inequality. The caste system has been used to justify social and economic inequality, and has resulted in the marginalization of certain groups of people.

Patriarchy: Vedic culture is often criticized for its patriarchal values and gender inequality. Women were traditionally expected to be subservient to men and were denied certain rights and opportunities.

Superstition and Dogma: Vedic culture has also been criticized for its emphasis on superstition and dogma, which can be limiting and prevent individuals from questioning established beliefs and traditions.

Animal Sacrifice: Some Vedic rituals involve the sacrifice of animals, which has been criticized for its cruelty and inhumane treatment of animals.

Lack of Social and Religious Diversity: Vedic culture can be criticized for its lack of social and religious diversity, which can lead to intolerance and a lack of understanding of different cultures and beliefs.

It is important to acknowledge both the benefits and drawbacks of Vedic culture and to work towards addressing its shortcomings while preserving its positive aspects.

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TRANSGENDER IN NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE ...

They are considered Sacred, no one has the right to Judge anyone, only the Greatest Creator of the World ...

Before the arrival of European explorers, queer Native Americans were recognized accepted, and maintained significant roles in tribal communities. According to Randy Burns (Northern Paiute), “our families and communities recognized us and encouraged us to develop our skill… [and] in turn, we made special contributions to our communities.” Traditional gay ancestors were healers, artists, hunters, warriors and providers of families and communities ... Lesbian women played key roles in tribal communities, such as the famous Kutenai woman, who was a warrior, an intertribal courier, and a prophet, and the Woman Chief of the Crow Indians. “Lesbian women became powerful shamans and medicine people” (Burns). Gay male ancestors were skilled in the arts, crafts, and religious traditions of their tribes. Some men were involved in the burial of the dead, as such “contact with the spirit world was deemed too dangerous for others. ... In many tribes, such as the Lakotas, Cheyenne, Navajo, and Mojave, the presence of homosexuality and transvestite men were acknowledged and not faced with judgement. Gender fluid, or multi-gendered Natives, were seen as powerful for their spiritual abilities. These people were considered to ‘see’ from the eyes of both men and women, allowing them to perform spiritual practices such as healing, interpreting dreams, and mediators ...

EUROPEAN AND COLONIAL INFLUENCES

The term berdache, now outdated, derives from French explorers, who described Native Americans who dressed and worked opposite of their born sex. The term also extended to Native people who formed emotional and sexual relationships with others of the same sex. Berdache, although showing explorers acknowledged gender varying Natives, it represents the beginnings of European influence of categorizing gender in Native American culture ... Due to colonization, strict gender binary roles were enforced on Native Americans through governmental and religious actions, in efforts to assimilate them into American culture and save us from the savages they claimed we were, As a result of this, “Indian leaders, even traditionalists, have adopted attitudes of white society”, meaning, Native American culture are starting to Judge as white man, white men think they are superior, their accepting view towards gender-varying individuals ... Tribes also had their own terminology for describing these individuals, such as Winkte (Lakota Sioux), N àdleehé (Navaho), and Alyha ( Mohave) ... In many Native nations, there was more than two concepts of gender. Colonization has diminished these practices, and replaced them with binary molds, however modern movements have sought to reclaim these gender fluid traditions.We’’wha (1849-1896) was a male-bodied person, who dressed in women’s clothing and performed feminine habits such as managing the household, weaving, and pottery. We’wha also practiced male religious activities, and was noted to be the strongest and most intelligent of the Zuni tribe ... We’wha was an accepted and important member of the Zuni, as he maintained a role in the tribe’s council. He traveled to Washington D.C., and met President Grover Cleveland, and was highly accepted among Washington society, becoming a celebrity of sorts ... Christian missionaries, however, spread their influence over the Zuni tribe, with the intent of converting the community towards binary ideals. We’wha was imprisoned, but after returning home following his release, he remained a symbol of gender fluidity within indigenous traditions.

My top books I read in 2023:

1: Sirens of Titan (Kurt Vonnegut) - I love Vonnegut’s writing so much, and Sirens is such a great narrative on free will and loving whoever is around to be loved. (Plus chrono-synclastically-infundibulated is just fun to say)

2: Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison) - already a book about important social issues that are still incredibly relevant today, Ellison’s style portrays a lifelike picture of the politics of race in America.

3: Midnight’s Children (Salman Rushdie) - The language and style of this book make it a delight to read as Rushdie paints an incredible mural across a canvas of Indian historical events interwoven with the supernatural to create an amazing story.

4: Job, A Comedy of Justice (Robert Heinlen) - Excellent satire of fundamentalist religion, packed with jokes and reality shifts, a complex world that goes from Mexico to Kansas to heaven to hell has a lot to say about religion.

5: The Master and Margarita (Mikhail Bulgakov) - The Devil and his entourage cause chaos in Soviet Moscow, in addition to a narrative about Pontius Pilate. An excellent and absurd premise sets up a criticism of humanity but also a defense of it, both in Judea 2000 years ago and now.

6: Ficciones (Jorge Luis Borges) - While the writing can be dense, so much is packed into these short stories parsing the meaning is definitely worth it. Fantastical scenarios act as mirrors to reality and each story leaves just enough to the readers imagination to make it a compelling and thought provoking work about the labyrinthine ways of reality.

7: Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe) - I love novels you can get lost in, and such a rich portrayal of Igbo life easily lends itself to a complex world that many people failed to see about Africa. Important social issues are dealt with and both extreme ways of living are critiqued in a compelling narrative.

8: Bluebeard (Kurt Vonnegut) - A coming of age a going of age and the Armenian diaspora are explored through the life of Abstract Expressionist artists and what it has to say about culture, society, and gender roles. You have to keep reading to see what’s in the potato barn, and when all is revealed it makes a lot of sense for Vonnegut.

9: Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami) - So much happens in the book you are riveted as the chapters bounce between characters. An excellent hook grabs you in and doesn’t let you go. Murakami’s imagination runs wild and this strange reinterpretation of oedipus makes you think.

10: Cat’s Cradle (Kurt Vonnegut) - Newt Hoenikker said it best - “no damn cat, and no damn cradle.”